West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
(Hummingbird, photographed by Stewart L.)
Happy Thanksgiving! We are ever-thankful that you are here. As we do every major holiday, we’ve gathered information in hopes of being helpful:
GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: The list of what’s open and when is in the Thanksgiving section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
COFFEE SHOPS OPEN TODAY: That list – including more than 15 local indies (as of our research calls – let us know if you find a change) – is here.
RESTAURANTS/BARS OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: 20+ on the list – see it here.
PRE-TURKEY RUNNING : Three options in our guide, and the biggest is the West Seattle Runner Gobble Gobble Group Run, 8 am from Alki – bring food donations – enter a raffle for running shoes! Look for the sign pointing you to the WSR gathering place, and get full details here.
PRE-TURKEY DANCING: The West Seattle YMCA (36th SW and SW Snoqualmie) is open 7-11 am this morning (Fauntleroy is closed) and invites everyone 5+ to Zumba Shine Dance Turkey Trot, 8:30 am.
PRE-TURKEY WALKING: Walking for Well-Being decided again this year to change to a morning walk today. Meet by 10 am at 47th/Fauntleroy.
WHERE TO ENJOY A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: Three options this year:
*As announced here, The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s legendary sit-down community dinner is happening again, all welcome, noon-3 pm. (9131 California SW)
*West Seattle Eagles are also again serving a sitdown community dinner for all, 2 pm-5 pm (4426 California SW)
*Admiral Pub, free Friendsgiving feast starts around 6 pm, followed by live music. 21+. (2306 California SW)
WANT TO HELP? You can drop off donations of gently used warm clothing, new blankets and socks, and desserts at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 10 am-1 pm, same address as above (south end of the historic schoolhouse).
WHAT TO DO AFTER (OR BEFORE) DINNER: The Admiral Theater is open this afternoon and evening – see the movies and showtimes here (2343 California SW).
THANKSGIVING TRANSPORTATION NOTES:
*Metro buses are on Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi boat or shuttle service
*Sound Transit light rail and buses, Sunday schedules
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a holiday schedule
*No charge for parking today on city streets with pay stations
*Traffic cameras: West Seattle-relevant ones here; citywide views are available via this SDOT map
OTHER INFO:
*No trash/recycling/etc. pickup today – Thursday pickups will happen Friday; Friday pickups on Saturday (transfer station is closed today too)
*Seattle Parks‘ holiday closed-and-open list (including the West Seattle Golf Course, which is open until 2 pm)
*No Seattle Public Library or King County Library System services today
*USPS holiday
*Banking holiday
LOST/FOUND PET? Sometimes it happens with all the holiday traveling, visiting family/friends, etc. – email or text us the info so we can post on our West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page!
Much more seasonal info for today and beyond is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We hope you have a joyful holiday! (And if you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we are forever thankful for your tips, reader reports, calendar listings, photos, questions, etc., every day/night of the year – now WSB’s 19th!)
Tomorrow is not only Thanksgiving, but also exactly four weeks until Christmas, which means time for nightly photos of West Seattle’s holiday lights here on WSB. We love showing photos of West Seattle’s best and brightest, whether you’re aiming for Menashe Family-level density (above is a photo sent by Cindi while they were starting setup earlier this week) or something a little subtler. With a rainless afternoon, we suspect more lights might have gone up today, so we’ll go scouting later this week, but we also welcome your photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com. You don’t have to include the exact address – just the block is fine (xx00 block of xx SW, for example) – as long as that’s enough info for light-sightseers to find it. (Scroll through this archive to see what we’ve featured in past years!)
Every year we check with West Seattle restaurants and coffee shops to find out who plans to be open on Thanksgiving Day, and publish those lists. So we’re reminding you today that both lists for tomorrow are updated – restaurants here, coffee shops here. Caveat – sometimes venues change their plans after we contact them, so some years there’s a holiday anomaly.
(WSB photo by Hayden Yu Andersen: Traffic-directing in WS Thriftway lot today)
Meantime, for emergency shopping on the big day, our Holiday Guide has the list of West Seattle grocery-store hours, plus Thanksgiving morning run/walk/dance events, and of course the rest of the seasonal info, from Santa photos to Hanukkah lighting to Winter Solstice gatherings to New Year’s!
(WSB photo, Thanksgiving 2024)
Just a reminder that the top of our West Seattle Holiday Guide is stuffed with Thanksgiving information, and that includes five ways to work out before you chow down – three runs, one dance-fitness class, and one walk, all with start times between 8 and 9 am. They begin as always with the Gobble Gobble Group Run and Food Drive at Alki, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), at 8 am (our photo above shows part of the hardy crowd who showed up last year). Is our list missing anything open to the community? Let us know so we can add!
Friends of Roxhill Elementary are gathering community support for families at their “small but mighty” school – here’s the request we were asked to share:
This year, more than any in recent memory, families at Roxhill Elementary are reaching out for support. With rising costs, limited government assistance, and growing food insecurity, more than 50 of our families have asked for help with groceries and basic essentials. That’s why we’re turning to our West Seattle community to help us ensure these families are supported through our Winter Basic Needs Fundraiser.
Roxhill is a small-but-mighty Title I school in the south end of West Seattle, serving approximately 250 students. 60% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and more than 72% come from BIPOC communities. What truly defines our school, though, is our strong sense of community—our commitment to showing up for one another in meaningful ways.
During winter break, many students lose access to the free breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year. Our goal is to bridge that gap so families can keep everyone fed throughout the holidays. If you are in a position to give, please consider donating to Friends of Roxhill. 100% of your contribution goes directly to supporting families.
Together, we can show every Roxhill family that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Please consider making a donation today.
(Reader photo, 2024: Some of the cookies Andrea & kids baked)
If you love to bake, The Christmas People‘s annual cookie-donation drive is your time to shine, and it’ll happen again this year. Here’s the announcemnt we received from The Christmas People:
Home-baked cookies are needed this year for the 18 shelters, centers, camps we serve during Christmas Week.
West Seattle Co-Working, 9030 35th Avenue SW will again accept cookies, Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23 and
Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No special packaging is necessary. Cookies may also be dropped off
at Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Monday through Thursday, Dec. 21-25.Please label any cookies withnuts, peanut butter, gluten free, etc. Cookies may be frozen. Contact Fred Hutchinson, co-founder, at 206-719-4979 or pialley@jps.net
We’ll of course remind you when this gets closer, too.
As we do every year, we’ve surveyed West Seattle restaurants and coffee shops to see who plans to be open – even if only for a few hours – on Thanksgiving Day. Our lists are now live – restaurants here, coffee shops here. As we also do every year, we’re alsp reminding you that sometimes venues change their plans between the time we contact them and the actual holiday, but this is the best info we have so far! Our Holiday Guide has other info too, including morning running, walking, working out opportunities to get moving in the hours before you celebrate. (And if you have additions or changes, for the entire holiday season, please let us know, as we’re updating the Holiday Guide often!)
(WSB photo, November 2024)
If you’re a Dick’s Drive-Ins burger fan, you might want to make lunch plans to be at Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) on Black Friday (November 28) – TRG is bringing back the Dick’s truck, 11 am-2 pm. And this time, no in-store purchase required; the truck will be open to all, selling burgers and shakes to everyone while they last. Of course, TRG proprietor Frank Gross hopes you’ll step in (and/or shop online), as they’re launching another megasale:
Our biggest sale of the year is coming this Black Friday & Small Business Saturday here at Thunder Road Seattle & Thunder Road Portland.
MEGA size deals! We are offering 20% off select guitars, amps, & pedals (some exclusions apply) in store and online. Use discount code blackfriday20 www.thunderroadguitars.com
Online sale goes live Thanksgiving. Doors open to TRG Seattle and Portland Friday at 10 am.
The Dicks Drive-Ins truck will be back at TRG Seattle on Black Friday between 11 am – 2 pm serving up the best burgers in Seattle and we are giving away two NEW Fender American Vintage ’65 Stratocasters courtesy of our friends at Fender Guitars. All you need to do to enter to win is stop by Thunder Road Seattle or Portland Friday – Sunday to cast your entry.
This weekend is going to be epic and you are not going to want to miss it. The best deals tend to go quick so be sure to get in early, in store or online.
As usual, the Thunder Road crew made a raucous promotional video too – see that here.
P.S. Is your West Seattle biz doing something special on Black Friday? Let us know and we can add it to the Shopping Spotlight section of our West Seattle Holiday Guide!
(WSB photo, 2024 Hometown Holidays Night Market)
The biggest day of the holiday season in the West Seattle Junction is now exactly two weeks away – Saturday, December 6, begins with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast (7-11 am) and concludes with the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting and Night Market (4-8 pm). As we noted last week, the Kiwanis’s pancakes, ham, and coffee/tea/juice breakfast is an incredible deal; you can buy $8 advance tickets online or at the Kiwanis’s booth at the south end of the Farmers’ Market tomorrow or next Sunday. No tickets needed for the Hometown holidays celebration, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, as part of a slate of seasonal fun – just show up that night at 42nd SW and SW Alaska. (Lots more is happening that day/night, and before/after that date too, as listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!)
Lindy is one of the Arrowhead Gardens residents selling unique creations at the annual holiday craft fair – garden art and planter stakes made from material including keepsake dishes and tiny charms. Be sure to look into each of the rooms at the community building on the east side of the complex at 9220 2nd SW so you don’t miss anybody. Linda is back with her preserves, from barbecue onion relish to pickled grapes to pineapple upside-down cake jam:
She admits she tends to go for “the unique.” Other creators are selling scarves, books – not used, but rather ones they wrote! – baked goods, gnomes, tree ornaments, photo posters, more.
This craft fair continues until 3 pm.
More handmade holiday gifts! C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is hosting its annual holiday arts and crafts fair, where you’ll find everything from poetry collections to woodworking:
Pete Homan‘s creations can be used as cutting boards – or hung as wall art! Lots of jewelry too, including Zoë’s beaded creations:
This show and sale started early, as noted in our list, so get to the coffeehouse before 2 pm so you don’t miss out!
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Visitors and volunteers have been lined up outside of Eastridge Church since 6 AM this morning for their yearly turkey and groceries giveaway. Between their locations in West Seattle and Issaquah, they plan to distribute 1,500 turkeys and holiday grocery bags to those in need – no proof required.
Eastridge Pastor Craig Mathison was busy greeting people outside of the church, shaking hands, and sharing warm welcomes. Mathison has been with Eastridge as their West Seattle campus pastor for five years, and grew up in the Woodland Park area.
The West Seattle location is stocked with 650 full turkey meals this morning, enough for a family dinner. “The only thing we don’t supply is salt, pepper, and butter,” Mathison joked.
(Two of today’s volunteer helpers)
Because he spends the mornings greeting new people during the turkey giveaways, Mathison has noticed that, as he put it, “this year has seen a higher demand.” This includes more first-time visitors, and he remarked that this is the furthest down the road he’s seen the line
It’s worth mentioning that this year, West Seattle has seen a rise in food insecurity, and other local organizations, such as the West Seattle Food Bank, have already been bracing to support their communities in the wake of cuts to vital programs such as SNAP.
But Mathison and the rest of the volunteers present this morning kept spirits high. “We love doing this,” he said. “It’s no problem at all to find volunteers, and people who volunteer once are very likely to show up again.”
Mathison says that at this rate, he expects the giveaway to last until 11:30 as planned.
Inside the Alki Masonic Center (40th SW and SW Edmunds, lower level right off the parking lot), you can shop handmade items all day at the annual holiday bazaar. That includes bake-sale bargains:
Of the tables we stopped at, we were most captivated by Christyl’s Crafty Creations:
She has a variety of reusable – and made-from-reused-material – items that’ll help you cut down on kitchen/household waste. Many are stocking-stuffer suitable. But also: Aprons made from neckties!
The bazaar is open for browsing and buying until 4 pm.
(WSB file photo)
One more reminder – especially considering more people are experiencing food insecurity right now – tomorrow morning (Saturday, November 22) is the annual Eastridge Church turkey giveaway. Between their West Seattle and Issaquah campuses, they are ready to provide 1,500 turkeys and bags of holiday-meal groceries. No proof of need required; in West Seattle,the line forms outside the Eastridge campus on 39th SW just south of SW Oregon (across from West Seattle Bowl). They expect to be there until 11:30 am unless the turkeys run out sooner.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Candlelight illuminated memories of “those who have gone before us” Thursday night at the second annual Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) “Hallelujah Lights.” Those who gathered under a canopy on the southeast side of the campus were serenaded by The Starry Crowns Trio:
Paulina Alvarado acknowledged to those gathered that “grief is so present, but so are our loved ones”:
She noted that The Mount’s “singing tree” nearby – with lights that respond to sounds near it – is “a symbol of love and light”:
Also speaking was Nancy Jordan, grieving for her mom, who died in June after living at The Mount for a year:
She shared holiday memories and urged attendees to do the same. The microphone went around and many did – recalling holiday food and drink traditiions from gingerbread to bourbon-spiked egg nog, and even family memories like parents squabbling over choosing a Christmas tree.
The memories culminated with a moment for everyone to say aloud the name of whoever they’re remembering – and one more reminder that those we’ve lost live on as an indelible part of us.
(WSB photo, West Seattle Eagles, Thanksgiving 2024)
Thanksgiving Day 2025 is exactly one week away. The WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide has the full T-Day and pre-T-Day list; three highlights are these free community dinners in West Seattle on the holiday – all welcome, not just those who might go hungry otherwise:
THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY, NOON-3 PM: For more than 20 years. Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering parent company D-Squared has cooked and served a full sit-down holiday dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). All are welcome. If you’d like to contribute, bring dessert – and/or gently used warm clothing, new blankets, and socks, for those who might need them. Our calendar listing explains how, when, and where to donate.
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES, 2 PM-6 PM: Also a longtime tradition – the Eagles open their doors (4426 California SW) to everyone on Thanksgiving for a full traditional dinner. All ages, membership not required.
ADMIRAL PUB, 6 PM: The pub proprietors annually welcome the community (21+) for a free Friendsgiving dinner with traditional Thanksgiving food. This year, they’re adding live music after dinner, at 9 pm. (2306 Calfornia SW)
(WSB photo, December 2024)
Last year, The Mount (WSB sponsor) presented “Hallelujah Lights” for the first time. This year, an encore, but earlier in the season – tomorrow (Thursday) night. If you haven’t already seen it in our Event Calendar or Holiday Guide, here’s the invitation:
Providence Mount St. Vincent’s Hallelujah Lights is a heartfelt tribute to those we love and remember. It’s the perfect way to welcome the holiday season and celebrate the bonds that unite us.
Enjoy an evening filled with live music by Starry Crowns Trio, soothing melodies, and the sweet taste of cocoa. Whether you come for the music, the memories, or the sense of togetherness, Hallelujah Lights offers something for everyone.
Event Details
Free to attend
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Location: Providence Mount St. Vincent, by the Singing Tree, SE corner front lawn
We look forward to sharing this magical evening with you!
(WSB file photo)
Last year, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship visited West Seattle early in the season – before Thanksgiving. This year, it’s much later in the schedule – exactly one month from tonight, on Thursday, December 18. Its two stops, serenading those aboard and onshore, will be 5:50-6:10 pm outside Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW) and 8:35-8:55 pm near Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW). The singers for both stops will be Choir of the Sound. This year’s Alki Holiday Lights celebration, presented by the Alki Community Council, will be held the same night, so plan to spend your whole evening by the beach (for advance details, attend the ACC meeting this Thursday, November 20, 7 pm, at Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds). And if you lose track of all this – no worries, it’s also part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
As announced on Sunday, the 2025 WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is launched (with daily additions and updates). The Thansgiving/pre-Thanksgiving section is of course currently right at the top, and we want to remind you, that includes options for holiday feasts/foods that somebody else will prep for you to heat up/cook at home -not just supermarkets, but local restaurants as well. The deadlines for ordering are coming up fast, too – some in the next day or two. Meantime, if we’re missing anyone else who’s offering pre-cooked and/or pre-prepared holiday food, please send the info and we’ll add it to the guide! (And if you don’t want to do any cooking at all, we of course will have our annual “who’s open” list – linked in the guide when it’s ready.)
(WSB photos, Saturday night)
This past Saturday night wasn’t just another busy weekend night at West Seattle Bowl – it was a holiday-season fun-way-to-give event that’s been happening for more than 25 years – the Beer Church Turkey Bowl, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank!
Our group shot of the crew running the show this year includes, third and fourth from left, founders Kendall Jones (publisher of Washington Beer Blog) and Kim Sharpe Jones. Besides bowling – with lanes booked by participants including local brewers and brew-pub proprietors – the night included raffles with prizes donated by businesses and other supporters:
This year, the Joneses expected it to be the biggest yet, encouraging financial donations to WSFB as well as the food donations that stack up every year. We got the totals today from WSFB’s Robbin Peterson (at left in our photo below, helping out during the Turkey Bowl):
What an incredible evening! This year’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl brought out an enthusiastic, joyful crowd – and the community’s generosity truly showed. While we’re still waiting for final numbers as Georgetown Brewing continues to sell this year’s custom-brewed Beer Church IPA at their SODO taproom, we’re thrilled to share that Turkey Bowl has already surpassed $15,000 raised for West Seattle Food Bank. Additionally, nearly 1,000 pounds of food and diapers were collected Saturday night. We are deeply grateful to Beer Church, Georgetown Brewing, West Seattle Bowl, every bowler, every attendee, and everyone who lifted up their neighbors by supporting West Seattle Food Bank.
You can read more about this year’s Beer Church IPA in this Turkey Bowl preview on the Washington Beer Blog – and it’s on today’s fresh sheet at Georgetown Brewing, open daily 10 am-8 pm at 5200 Denver Ave. S. (And if you’d rather just give WSFB some $, go here any time.)
Every year we put together – and frequently update – a mega-list of local holiday events and info, the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We’ve just published the first 2025 version, featuring everything we’ve received (or found) info about, so far. The Holiday Guide covers pre-Thanksgiving through New Year’s and breaks down the contents into lists including Thanksgiving (starting with holiday-food ordering deadlines), holiday bazaars/sales/business open houses, concerts, other performances, Santa photo ops, Christmas Ship visits, Christmas tree sales, donation drives/fundraisers, holiday decorations, public Hanukkah celebrations, local shopping spotlights, more … We also spotlight practical information as each holiday gets closer – which grocery stores, restaurants, and coffee shops are open, for example.
As always when we launch the guide, some of this info isn’t available yet (like “which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving?”) but we’re continuing to research and gather, so as more info and announcements arrive, we’ll continue updating the guide. This year and every year, your help is VERY important – you might see something we haven’t seen/received yet, or you might be planning something for your organization/school/church. Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com and we’ll get it listed. We’ll include White Center and South Park events if the info is sent to us, but West Seattle is the focus. We’re here to help make sure you know about all your options all season long! You can find the guide any time at westseattleblog.com/holiday, as well as on our menu/navigation bar, whichever device you’re using. Check back often because we’ll be updating at least once a day!
(WSB photos)
Eight dollars for a fresh-cooked pancake breakfast – including ham, orange juice, coffee, and tea. If you buy an advance ticket to this year’s Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, that’s all you’ll pay! It’s a deal at the door, too, $10. And kids under 10 who are accompanied by adults get breakfast for free. This is part of a fun event that also includes Santa photos, Toys for Tots donations, raffles, and wreath sales. It’s all happening 7 am-11 am Saturday, December 6 (a tradition for starting the big day that later includes the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays tree lighting). The Kiwanis Club raises money for projects to help youth. You can buy your ticket(s) now online here, or stop by the Kiwanis tent at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm, just a few steps east of the Easy Street Records corner. (WSB is among the community co-sponsors of the breakfast event.)
(WSB photos)
Now until 2 pm, the holiday season is in full bloom at West Seattle Nursery (California SW and SW Brandon; WSB sponsor) for its annual Holiday Open House. The full event schedule is here; above, free pet portraits with Element 79 Photography are continuing until 1 pm. (That’s Henry, posing.) This is the second year that pet photos have been part of the open house – they were so popular last year, the nursery decided on an encore. Lots of patient pups and people waiting today, too:
And if you want to take a photo with one of the most famous dogs of all time, check out Snoopy, with his decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown (plus Woodstock!), outside the nursery’s shop:
They’ll be there for DIY photos throughout the season. Inside, lots of holiday decor, including ornaments on themed Christmas trees – the “apothecary” tree is new this year, with lots of old-fashioned items:
And don’t miss the “celebrity” tree:
If you’re ready at this early date to decorate your own tree, West Seattle Nursery already has some in!
A big load, we’re told, is expected Tuesday. Today’s open house only continues until 2 but the nursery is open until 5.
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